F-150 Powerboost Charging Travel Trailer While Driving [Video]

[kvandivo]

I recently tweaked a few things to make it so that I could easily power and charge my travel trailer while I'm going down the road.



With this and the batteries I have in the trailer I can basically leave the Air Conditioner running, the fridge on AC, and anything else I need... All the time. Want to boondock? Not a problem. Want to Cracker-Barrel it and have AC? Not a problem. This is a game changer and it seems like something everyone should be doing that can possibly tow with their F150.

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[HammaMan]

Why is the vid thumbnail that of a 13th gen? LOL

First thought was "this is going to be interesting" -- then a PB is shown.

Also, your in-cab plugs are the A circuit, you should swap around the wire on your 4 prong that your 3 prong comes off of so you're running the trailer on the B circuit allowing for full capacity of the truck's in-cab plugs if desired.

 

[DBL R]

Yup, I charge my slide in camper while driving. Have my fridge running off 110 and charging my 12v on board batteries then when I get where I’m going I change to 12v or propane. Works beautifully. Turn off 30 minute idle and you can have a mobile generator on for hours even when popping into stores for shopping along the way. Works great.

 

[HammaMan]

Yup, I charge my slide in camper while driving. Have my fridge running off 110 and charging my 12v on board batteries then when I get where I’m going I change to 12v or propane. Works beautifully. Turn off 30 minute idle and you can have a mobile generator on for hours even when popping into stores for shopping along the way. Works great.

Truck shouldn't be shutting off in generator mode - generator mode ignores idle timeout.

 

[DBL R]

Truck shouldn't be shutting off in generator mode - generator mode ignores idle timeout.

You’re correct. With two dogs in the cabin I like the added security of knowing the truck isn’t going to randomly shutoff in the heat of summer, so I click the 30 min idle off. Most certainly overkill but makes me feel better. Also gives the added bonus of the truck staying on if you miss the little message that says “stay in generator mode” *click yes or no* when you shift into park.

 

[kvandivo]

Why is the vid thumbnail that of a 13th gen? LOL

First thought was "this is going to be interesting" -- then a PB is shown.

Also, your in-cab plugs are the A circuit, you should swap around the wire on your 4 prong that your 3 prong comes off of so you're running the trailer on the B circuit allowing for full capacity of the truck's in-cab plugs if desired.

Doh! You noticed the thumb. Should have known, on a 14th gen forum... I didn't have a good pic of the truck/camper and a thumbnail generator recommended that as a 'F150 picture' and I figured it was good enough. I'll update it when I get a better pic.

Thanks for the note about the circuits. I'll definitely make that change on my patch cable.

 

[Hullguy]

I recently tweaked a few things to make it so that I could easily power and charge my travel trailer while I'm going down the road.



With this and the batteries I have in the trailer I can basically leave the Air Conditioner running, the fridge on AC, and anything else I need... All the time. Want to boondock? Not a problem. Want to Cracker-Barrel it and have AC? Not a problem. This is a game changer and it seems like something everyone should be doing that can possibly tow with their F150.

You can get watertire plugs
https://www.grainger.com/product/39...qvOU9LQsh5CnowU5GxBoCh1IQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.grainger.com/product/39...r2vzb5shQW2GFnIbUfhoCjHcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[kvandivo]

...

Thanks for the note about the circuits. I'll definitely make that change on my patch cable.

Patch cable updated!

 

[Ranger621]

Why didn't you just parrel the trailer power port connector wiring to the plug on the front of the trailer instead of cutting it and totally removing it. What about the next guy you try to sell that to who doesn't have a Ford Power Boost PU? Should have given that more thought before you ruined the trailer.

 

[kvandivo]

Why didn't you just parrel the trailer power port connector wiring to the plug on the front of the trailer instead of cutting it and totally removing it. What about the next guy you try to sell that to who doesn't have a Ford Power Boost PU? Should have given that more thought before you ruined the trailer.

Hi,

Not sure what you are suggesting to do with the typo parrel, but as I indicated on the video, the trailer works just fine: you just have to plug in at the tongue instead of the side of the trailer. I don't consider that ruining the trailer.

I would have needed a transfer switch to use both "at the same time" and didn't care to do that.

Now I will admit that I don't have a good idea yet on what to do with the old 30/125 port on the side of the trailer...

 

[kvandivo]

Why didn't you just parrel the trailer power port connector wiring to the plug on the front of the trailer instead of cutting it and totally removing it. What about the next guy you try to sell that to who doesn't have a Ford Power Boost PU? Should have given that more thought before you ruined the trailer.

If you meant to plug a cable into the side of the trailer and run it to the hitch, I didn't have a good concept of how to do that in such a way that didn't look completely jankie while driving down the road. The camper just isn't meant to have things plugged in the side while traveling.

 

[Ranger621]

If you meant to plug a cable into the side of the trailer and run it to the hitch, I didn't have a good concept of how to do that in such a way that didn't look completely jankie while driving down the road. The camper just isn't meant to have things plugged in the side while traveling.

No, what I actually mean, is that on the inside of the power inlet receptacle where the original wires were attached, just add the aux wires that go up to the front of the trailer. This way you could use either of the plugs to power the trailer.

 

[EricR]

No, what I actually mean, is that on the inside of the power inlet receptacle where the original wires were attached, just add the aux wires that go up to the front of the trailer. This way you could use either of the plugs to power the trailer.

I just disconnected the original shore-power wires from the power panel and put wire nuts on them.

If something in my new setup fails, or I decide sell the trailer I can have the original shore-power connection and converter running again in a matter of minutes.

My old thread, FWIW:
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...wering-a-trailer-while-driving-it-works.6462/

 

[kvandivo]

No, what I actually mean, is that on the inside of the power inlet receptacle where the original wires were attached, just add the aux wires that go up to the front of the trailer. This way you could use either of the plugs to power the trailer.

Particularly because the plugs coming out of the trailer are male this would be quite dangerous because the unused plug would be hot anytime you are charging and one could shock themselves pretty easily.

EricR's solution is good. Because is the layout of my trailer I just didn't want to pull and route that much wire.

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